Persian version of Luminous Journey

Our Persian version of Luminous Journey is finally at the replication company! What a long, hard, worthy project--with many challenges! We are grateful to all who helped us with it.  We'll have several hundred copies at the ABS conference, which will be the screening premiere. Then more at the Persian conference in Chicago! 

Evaluation of Luminous Journey, by a Film Student

One of my students at the Art Institute borrowed a copy of the film.  She filled out a film sheet in response; I will put her answers below! 

Sound: the soundtrack is excellent, with perfect variations to lead the narration and different transitions very well done.

Lighting: there are some brighter scenes outdoors that are difficult to control but almost perfect with indoor scenes.

Editing: the editing is done well between photographs and live images and special effects.

Time sequence: the sequence is set perfectly by 'Abdu'l-Baha himself.

Cinematography: good. Very rich colors especially with the scenic sequences.

Costumes: excellent perfect period costumes and props.

Other: It is clear the amount of work and time that was contributed.

It relates to my religious beliefs. Although raised as a Christian, I have always believed the way he influenced people to be, that all religions should be at peace with each other.

The film was very effective. I cannot believe that his history is not more prominent to be learned in the United States. I learned a great deal. I even watched some with my boyfriend, who was raised Catholic, and he was very interested and impressed by the way he was.

I think this is an extremely important history that needs to be shared throughout the world, especially here in the U.S.  He seemed to be a true prophet by the way he influenced so many people so positively. I would love to share this with family and friends because it applies to all of us--not one religion or race but humanity. I think this should be seen in churches of all types and in classes on religion.

(How's that for focus testing? I gave her the copy of the film to keep, so she can keep sharing it!) 

New tribute to the film . . .

It's been so long since we've posted anything! I need to add the photos from the DC trip--from back in November!

Today we got a very special message:

I have just watched Luminous Journey--albeit a few years late! And it is marvelous. Just magnificent! A friend kindly loaned it to me - the last three days I've watched parts of it every day, savoring and going back to catch parts I didn't quite remember or get. Thank you so much for this extraordinary film!!  Linda Covey

Then, after I thanked Linda, she wrote:  

I think everyone should see this. It's perfect for deepening, for firesides, or meditating upon the life of Abdul Baha.  Every single Bahai should have this in their library! 

I am amazed at how much you pulled together- so much history of the States at that time even--how buildings looked, along with treasured and priceless pictures. The dress of the period- and so many pictures of  Abdul Baha, his carriage, car, snapshots...more personal, up close - and 'human'! (I'm sure you know what I mean.) It's awe-inspiring and made me more determined than ever. I was wishing I'd had it for my religion and human culture classes in China. 

The story line is so clear. You certainly give a full and complete picture of His journeys. I really liked how the film made its transition from one location to the next one. Very clear. And the music is so soothing and beautiful! It fit the film perfectly. 

I watched all the credits, recognizing names here and there. And I wondered how those individuals felt- especially all the Baha'is, as they recreated (lived) Abdul Baha's journey.  Maybe on your webpage, you could put some of their stories, how they were impacted? 

Warmest Bahai love and friendship,

Linda 

Special Programs in Washington, DC and Sterling, VA, Nov. 22–23

We are going to Washington, DC and Virginia this weekend! 

We'll be giving special programs on honor of the visit of 'Abdu'l-Bahá to the area: 

Saturday, November 22, 7:30–9:30 pm, Washington, DC Bahá’í Center

Sunday, November 23, 3:00–5:00 pm, NOVA Bahá’í Center, 

21415 Cardinal Glen Circle, Sterling, VA 20164. 

Copies of the DVD & Blu-ray DVD will be available, discount prices. 

All welcome. See fliers for each event. 

Program for Ascension of 'Abdu'l-Bahá

***CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD A PRINT - READY  PDF OF THIS PROGRAM***

HONORING THE LIFE OF THE MASTER:

A Program for the Observance of 

the Ascension of 'Abdu'l-Bahá

This program to observe the anniversary of the Ascension of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá is designed to be uplifting and inspiring, providing an appreciation of the life and station of the Master. The steps below are meant as a guide and can be modified to meet your community’s needs. With a little effort and a lot of love you can create an experience your community will not soon forget.

Program for Day of the Covenant

***CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD A PRINT - READY  PDF OF THIS PROGRAM***

A MEETING WITH THE MASTER

A Program for the Celebration 

of the Day of the Covenant

This program to celebrate the Day of the Covenant is designed to be uplifting and inspiring, as if providing a glimpse into what it must have been like to be in the presence of the Master. We have included two program outlines for you to choose from. The first is between 30-45 minutes in length and the second is for a 60 minute program. The steps below are meant as a guide and can be modified to meet your community’s needs. With a little effort and a lot of love you can create an experience your community will not soon forget.

'Abdu'l-Bahá in Bristol, UK--Clifton Guest House apartment purchased

Exciting news!  See message below.  We can't wait to go see the Clifton Guest House apartment in Bristol.

'Abdu'l-Bahá on balcony,
Clifton Guest House

_______

National Spiritual Assembly

5 November 2014 

To the Bahá’ís of the United Kingdom

Dearly loved Friends,

On two occasions ‘Abdu’l-Bahá visited the City of Bristol: once for three days in September 1911 and again for one day in January 1913.  On both occasions he stayed at the Clifton Guest House on Royal York Terrace where he was hosted by Mr. and Mrs. Tudor-Pole.  Built on elevated ground, the guest house overlooks a valley in which the early city of Bristol was built.  Although visiting on the first occasion to gain some rest from His arduous travels and extensive engagements in London, whilst in the guest house ‘Abdu’l-Bahá took the time to address large gatherings, meet individuals and groups of friends, shower His tender love upon children, dine with close companions, cheer and advise the staff, give interviews to newspaper reporters and devote time to His extensive daily correspondence.  In an account written by Mr. Tudor-Pole we read that the “Master went all over Guest House blessing and dedicating each room to the service of Bahá’u’lláh and promising that the house would become a centre of peace and rest for pilgrims from East and West.”  The property is now entirely residential and has been divided into a number of apartments.

How extraordinary it is to consider that the Master—He whom Shoghi Effendi reminds us as being “the Centre and Pivot of Bahá’u’lláh’s peerless and all-enfolding Covenant, His most exalted handiwork, the stainless Mirror of His light, the perfect Exemplar of His teachings, the unerring Interpreter of His Word, the embodiment of every Bahá’í ideal, the incarnation of every Bahá’í virtue, the Most Mighty Branch sprung from the Ancient Root, the Limb of the Law of God, the Being “round Whom all names revolve,” the Mainspring of the Oneness of Humanity, the Ensign of the Most Great Peace, the Moon of the Central Orb of this most holy Dispensation” – twice visited and stayed in this blessed and sacred place.  It is thus with untold joy and excitement that the National Spiritual Assembly is pleased to inform you that on behalf of the Bahá’í community it has purchased one of the apartments within the former Clifton Guest House.

It is the intention of the National Assembly to work towards opening the property for visitors.  On hearing the news of the final purchase, the Universal House of Justice, in a letter dated 31 October 2014, conveyed that it was pleased to learn of the purchase of the property and that the National Assembly’s “intention to carry out renovation work, so that the former guest house can be brought closer in appearance to its condition at the time when ‘Abdu’l-Bahá visited it, is entirely appropriate”.  This will require historical records to be researched and, in light of the information gleaned, the property will be restored to its former condition to the extent possible. 

Enclosed with this email letter is a photograph of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá standing on a balcony on the first floor of Clifton Guest House. It is the apartment associated with this balcony that has been purchased.

Given that this apartment is one of many in the building, sensitivity is required in regard to both viewing premises now and visiting it in the future when it is open for this purpose, and we are sure that you will bear this in mind.

We know that you will join us in giving thanks to Bahá’u’lláh for this stupendous and sacred gift which He has chosen to confer upon this already blessed community at this moment in its history. Ours is now the duty to prepare this precious place for future generations of visitors from east and west who will flow to it and draw upon its hallowed spirit of tranquillity and peace to inspire them in their building of His world embracing civilisation.

With loving Bahá’í greetings,

National Spiritual Assembly

Patrick O’Mara, Secretary